There are many ways to show your dog that she is your best friend and an important member of your family.More >>

There are many ways to show your dog that she is your best friend and an important member of your family. From doing activities together to creating a space just for her, these are some easy ways you can strengthen your bond with your four-legged friend.More >>

Inviting guests to your home when you have a new or energetic dog can prove to be challenging. Just a little training -- for both your dog and your guests -- will make visits more enjoyable for everyone.More >>

Inviting guests to your home when you have a new or energetic dog can prove to be challenging. Just a little training -- for both your dog and your guests -- will make visits more enjoyable for everyone.More >>

Since your dog hasn't mastered speaking in words yet, you may wonder how you can tell if your dog is feeling okay. It turns out, many of the clues can come from just looking at your dog and reading his body language.More >>

Since your dog hasn't mastered speaking in words yet, you may wonder how you can tell if your dog is feeling okay. It turns out, many of the clues can come from just looking at your dog and reading his body language.More >>

Similar to selecting a day care for a child, choosing a doggie day care center is a process that takes some time and consideration. Besides selecting a facility that matches both your budget and your location, you'll be searching for a day care where you will feel comfortable that your dog is enjoying a healthy, happy and safe experience.

After asking fellow pet parents for their recommendations, your next step is to plan an in-person visit to a potential day care. "The facility should be readily available for you to see during business hours, and you should be allowed to see the entire facility," says Andrea Cermak, owner of Waggin' Tails Doggie Day Care in Citrus Heights, Calif. "If a facility is difficult to see, or your tour of it is limited, be cautious. There should be at least one qualified staff member per 15 dogs. Ideally, the facility will offer both inside and outside space, and the spaces should be clean."

Cermak also suggests making sure the day care requires that all dogs be spayed or neutered if they are older than 6 months. Dogs should also be current on basic vaccinations (rabies, distemper/parvo, Bordetella) as well as pass a behavior evaluation to screen for appropriate temperament.

On the initial visit, "observe how it smells when you walk in the door," says Arlene Sinanian, owner of Atlanta's Pupcakes Playcare. "You want it to smell clean or have no odor at all. Of course, there will be times one walks into a facility where another dog has just pottied right in the entrance. Does the staff address the accident right away?"

Sinanian recommends that pet parents listen for barking on their tour as well. "Are the dogs barking in play and excitement, or is the barking constant stress-barking?"

Once you've narrowed down your selection, be sure to make a call to your local Better Business Bureau and do a quick online search for possible complaints. Additionally, ask for references. Whether doggie day care will be an occasional visit or a regular part of your workday routine, you want to ensure a tail-wagging good time.

Paris Permenter and John Bigleyare the founders of DogTipper.com and the authors of Barkonomics: Tips for Frugal Fidos. They are frequent contributors to The Dog Daily. The husband-and-wife team lives with its two rescue dogs, Irie and Tiki, in Texas.

Crates are like the dog's own room or safe place. Since dogs don’t like to soil where they sleep, crates can be a very effective tool for housetraining! More >>

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Before adding a touch of nature to your home with houseplants, it's important to know what types of plants may be harmful to your cat and which are safe. In fact, some plants are extremely poisonous to cats, and others can cause them to become very ill.

Your cat is playful, curious and a hunter, and he wants to interact with you to show off his natural skills. Playing games with your cat is a great way to entertain him, as well as give him some extra exercise.More >>

Your cat is playful, curious and a hunter, and he wants to interact with you to show off his natural skills. Playing games with your cat is a great way to entertain him, as well as give him some extra exercise.More >>